Division Director, Division of Engineering Education and Centers

Division: Engineering Education and Centers (ENG/EEC)
Directorate: Engineering (ENG)
Job Type:
Senior Executive/Leadership
Appointment Type:
Temporary / Rotator
This job is open to the public

Application timeline

Date Posted:
Closing date:

Position Summary

The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) announces a nationwide search to fill the position of Director, Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) through an assignment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). The deadline for the submission of applications has been extended to February 15, 2021.

Position Description

The Division Director serves as a member of the Directorate for Engineering leadership team and serves as the Foundation’s principal spokesperson in the areas supported by the Division.  Provides leadership and direction to the Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC). EEC invests in the creation of 21st century engineers and the discovery of new technologies through transformational center-based research, research in education, broadening participation and inclusion, and research opportunities for developing the workforce of tomorrow. The EEC programs provide an integrated, cross-disciplinary environment for partners from academe and industry to adapt the engineering research and education enterprise to technological, economic, and social change.  The programs benefit from a scope encompassing all of engineering and address issues critical to all engineering, and thus complement the research and education portfolios of the other divisions for ENG.  The Division consists clusters of: (a) Centers and Networks that provide the structure, coordination, and resources to address engineering grand challenges and launch new industries. (b) Broadening Participation in Engineering that enhances the culture of inclusion and diversity in engineering by research to improve engineering interest, preparation, connections, experiences, and opportunities among all underrepresented populations in engineering. (c) Engineering Education that encourages fundamental research in the formation of engineers and the translation of research into practice, to accelerate innovation and improve the quality and diversity of engineering graduates entering the technical workforce. (d) Engineering Workforce Development that supports pilot initiatives and provides meaningful research experiences that develop insights into engineering concepts, innovations, and careers, to create and support an innovative and inclusive workforce for the future.

The incumbent has managerial and oversight responsibilities for the effective use of division staff and resources in meeting organizational goals and objectives.  This includes directing the activities of the EEC Division, assessing the needs and trends in research and education related to the Division’s programs, implementing overall strategic planning, and policy setting.  Supervises and provides leadership and guidance to senior level EEC staff (Deputy Division Director), program officers, administrative and support personnel.  Determines funding requirements, prepares and justifies the budget, balances program needs, allocates resources, oversees the evaluation of proposals and recommendations for awards and declinations, and represents NSF to relevant external groups.  Fosters partnerships with other Divisions, Directorates, Federal agencies, and the academic community to advance the mission and vision of ENG.

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option(s):

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: Individuals eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of State and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee's salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement. 

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs.  Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. https://www.nsf.gov/careers/Definition-of-Foreign-Talent-HRM.pdf.

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law require Non-Citizens to meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-Citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered eligible. Non-Citizens are not eligible for positions requiring a security clearance.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

The successful candidate will possess an established record of significant achievement in research, administration, and increasing leadership responsibility in academe, industry or government.  Additionally, the Division Director must be experienced and competent in technical, financial and administrative management.  The incumbent must work well with people, be an effective communicator, and be committed to continuously develop the diversity of talents and skills of the team.

 

The Qualification Requirements of the position are listed below:

 

Executive/Managerial Requirements

 

  1. Leading Change. Demonstrated ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals.  Includes the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

 

  1. Leading People. Demonstrated ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals.  Includes the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

 

  1. Results-Driven Leadership. Demonstrated ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations.  Includes the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

 

  1. Business Acumen. Demonstrated ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.   

 

  1. Building Coalitions. Demonstrated ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

 

Professional/Technical Requirements

 

  1. Education, strongly preferred at Ph.D. level or equivalent professional experience or a combination of education and equivalent experience in the area of engineering, engineering education or a closely related field.

 

  1. Substantial research contributions and strong evidence of scholarship in engineering, engineering education, or a closely related field. Broad knowledge of diverse fields of science and their interdisciplinary impact on engineering.

 

  1. Demonstrated innovative leadership in research administration and experience in engineering education and/or broadening participation in engineering

 

  1. Broad understanding of universities and other institutions where engineering research and education is conducted. Knowledge of grant and contract administration, fiscal management, and budget preparation with experience in engineering research support.

 

Conditions of Employment:  Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens only. Appointment to this position is contingent upon successful completion of the appropriate background investigation.

Please submit a current CV accompanied by a cover letter or supplemental statement that addresses the qualification requirements of the position.  Applications should be transmitted electronically to execsrch@nsf.gov.

 

General professional inquiries should be directed to:

Dr.Shekhar Bhansali, Division Director

Search Committee Chair

Email : sbhansal@nsf.gov

Phone : 703-292-7027

Apply by Email